averted

USAGE SUMMARY

"averted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action of turning away or preventing something, usually with an effort. For example, "The fire was averted thanks to the quick response of the firefighters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But we need to learn more than tact if tact involves that Žižekian lie of pretending to have averted our eyes.

The Guardian

The financing of such outdated, dirty and highly risky technology should be averted by all means".

The Guardian

The British public averted its gaze, and the Telegraph does well to remind us of that fact.

The Guardian

I know exactly which mirrors in my house are soothingly cast in silvery shadow, and which cause me to bolt past, eyes averted from the blast of capillary-exposing reality.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A strike by BBC News staff that could have hit coverage of the Scottish independence referendum next week has been averted after talks with director general Tony Hall.

The Guardian

On the face of it, Brown's case is a strong one: he rescued the banking system and he averted a rerun of the Great Depression.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, another mass confrontation was averted on Tuesday only thanks to members of the notorious Bloods and Crips gangs, who teamed with community activists to push hundreds more protesters, who had demonstrated late into the evening, back to their homes as the curfew loomed.

The Guardian

The prime minister's intervention, which had been prepared in great secrecy by Tory strategists in Downing Street, made clear just how quickly Cameron and the Tories were prepared to press their advantage over the Labour party now that Scottish independence had been averted.

The Guardian

He takes no pleasure in the fact that it took Congress however many days to pass bills... that would have averted all the damage.

The Guardian

It is possible that, at some point, there will be a replay of summer 2011, in which a bond market crisis has to be averted by concerted global action, but this time with Italy rather than Greece and Spain needing the bailout.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even better, it has been calculated that if every older person at risk of having a fall was referred to a physiotherapist-run falls prevention programme, more than 200,000 falls could be averted and the NHS could save £275m.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "averted" to describe the successful prevention of negative outcomes or the act of turning something (like one's gaze) away from something else. It's effective when emphasizing the avoidance of a potentially harmful situation.

Common error

While "averted" is appropriate for serious situations, avoid using it in contexts where a simpler word like "avoided" or "prevented" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The word "averted" primarily functions as the past participle of the verb "avert", indicating a completed action of preventing something negative. Ludwig AI suggests that it can describe an action of turning away or preventing something, usually with effort. For example, 'Strike action was averted'. It also can function as an adjective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "averted" is a versatile word primarily functioning as a past participle or adjective, used to convey the successful prevention of negative situations or the act of turning away. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in formal and informal contexts. It appears commonly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When using "averted", consider alternatives like "prevented" or "avoided" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey. While generally acceptable, ensure its usage fits the tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevented

Focuses on stopping something from happening, differing slightly from just turning it away.

avoided

Highlights keeping away from something, whether physical or metaphorical.

warded off

Implies actively defending against or pushing something away.

staved off

Suggests delaying or postponing something, usually negative.

deflected

Emphasizes turning something aside, often an attack or criticism.

turned aside

Indicates a redirection or turning away from a path or course.

averted danger

Specifically focuses on avoiding a dangerous situation.

side-stepped

Implies skillfully avoiding something, often a difficult question or situation.

dodged

Suggests a quick or evasive movement to avoid something.

circumvented

Indicates finding a way around an obstacle or problem.

FAQs

How is "averted" typically used in a sentence?

"Averted" is often used to describe how a crisis, disaster, or unpleasant event was successfully prevented. For example, "The disaster was averted thanks to their quick thinking."

What are some alternatives to using "averted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "prevented", "avoided", or "warded off" to express a similar meaning.

When should I use "averted" instead of "avoided"?

"Averted" often implies a more significant or dangerous situation that was successfully avoided, whereas "avoided" can apply to more commonplace scenarios. Consider the gravity of the situation when choosing between the two.

Can "averted" describe something other than a negative event?

Yes, "averted" can also describe the action of turning one's eyes or gaze away from something, as in "She averted her eyes from the disturbing scene."